10.03.07
Cover
Cover versions are strange creatures.
We hear of crap like The X Factor where they do nowt but and then usually badly or at least very blandly. Then you get utter classics like Scout Niblett’s stunning version of Althea and Donna’s “Uptown Top Ranking”.
The difference seems to be not only in the talent but also whether they bother to do something about stamping their own imprint on the song.
You may know that I’m a massive fan of the band SWANS. They went through a period of covering the classic “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (Joy Division’s finest moment). The first version they did was a blatant rip off and is staggeringly dull. Gira’s voice is good and expressive but doing it that way has been done – by Joy Division if no-one else. So why bother – unless you’re in a tribute band? Then they did another version with a total change of mood and emphasis – much more impressive.
But even then there’s a thing. It’s already a good song as is “Uptown” so it can’t be that hard to make a good tune out of it can it? So what about trying to get good versions of bad songs?
I’ve got the Finnish Shouting Choir doing the French/German and American national anthems and they are total freaks of music.
And I found this this morning.
http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/merzbow/video/x51h_hanayo-joe-le-taxi
Anyone know any more?
Have fun.
PS Oh and if anyone can get hold of Babes in Toyland’s version of “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft” then I’d love them forever.